Kasim Reed on extending Occupy Atlanta’s stay: Two out of three will suffice — for now
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s statement on why he’ll allow Occupy Atlanta to linger in Woodruff Park – two out of three’s not bad, he says:
”Civil disobedience is an appropriate form of expression, provided that it is peaceful, non-violent and lawful. As of today, the Occupy Atlanta protesters continue to assemble in a peaceful, non-violent fashion in Robert W. Woodruff Park. Therefore, I have extended the Executive Order allowing Occupy Atlanta to remain in Woodruff Park after the park closes. This Executive Order is effective through the adjournment of the next Atlanta City Council meeting on November 7, 2011.
“I remain committed to ensuring public safety and enforcing the laws of the city. The Atlanta Police Department and other city officials continue to monitor the park and the protesters. The Executive Order does not preclude the city from responding at will to changing conditions in the park or to any public safety issues. The city is prepared to act swiftly should the situation in the park so warrant.
“I am also cognizant of the concerns of neighboring businesses and residents about the effect of the protesters’ activity on the park and the surrounding area. The protesters cooperated with the city’s request to clean the park on Saturday; city crews pressure-washed the park’s hard-surfaces and removed litter and debris. The city will continue to maintain the park during the demonstration. My administration also will work with Occupy Atlanta members to minimize noise levels after 9 p.m. as a courtesy to downtown residents.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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195 comments Add your comment
smellsfishy
October 18th, 2011
8:29 am
These people don’t do anything for nothing. I smell a pay off. What other reason would he have to suddenly change his mind. He should be more concerned about his city and the people who live in the area. I think a full investigation is called for!
Lamar
October 18th, 2011
8:32 am
When is Reed going to show how much money Occupy Atl has caused TaxPayers?
Smoke
October 18th, 2011
8:43 am
Can any Dixiecrat tell us just what federal post Mayor Reed is seeking? Please, don’t say the Secretary of the Interior! That said, does anyone remember what great jobs Dirk Kempthorne or James Watt did at that post?
DavidEm
October 18th, 2011
8:46 am
I live literally next door to the encampment, and have visited it. They’re very considerate of the surrounding residences and businesses, and they really do have something of substance to say, in contrast to the drummed-up hysteria of the low information Tea Partiers.
And I’m very glad that some people are FINALLY protesting an economy that is thoroughly rigged by the financial influence of the very rich for their own benefit. “Privatized Gains/ Socialized Loss” really DOES sum up the set-up.
Tvshooter
October 18th, 2011
8:50 am
From what someone in Reed’s administration told me, he is eyeing John Lewis’s seat in Congress.
American
October 18th, 2011
8:58 am
I support Occupy Atlanta. I have been to the park twice to show support and found the folks there committed to peaceful protests that supports social justice.
Not Surprised
October 18th, 2011
8:59 am
They’re losers and so is Reed.
GAGirl
October 18th, 2011
9:09 am
I am all for equality HOWEVER, if everyone is equal, then there will never be any greatness in this country. If an individual or company is not allowed to be successful and make a profit, then what is the point of even trying? I think it is ironic that these protesters, who oppose big business and capitalism, are done there using PCs, Macs, Iphones, Ipods, all kinds of technology made by greedy corporations. Do they know that there beloved Steve Jobs had Chinese kids making those fabulous iPads they are using and that they lived in filthy dorms? Do they know that he shut down most of his charities? Here is the the thing – America is the land of opportunity and you have to get out there and work hard. You see this every day by people, who don’t know English, who come to this country legally and make a very successful life. Take the whiny energy and turn it into something positive. Are some companies greedy, unethical and immoral, yes…however, not all are that way. They give millions of people a chance at the American dream. So why these people are squatting in the parks, let the rest of America continue to work and make this country a better place.
Shameonu
October 18th, 2011
9:10 am
Mayor Reed I was once proud of you and now I am ashamed of you. You are only allowing this for political gain and you know I am right.
Raymond
October 18th, 2011
9:10 am
Reed has no backbone.
Danny
October 18th, 2011
9:21 am
Mayor Reed is looking indecisive and weak!
td
October 18th, 2011
9:30 am
If these people have been here for a month then how are they making getting money? Who is feeding them? Why are these young adults (kids) not in school wanting to improve their lives? Why are they not working an entry level job getting the experience they need to move ahead in the world?
SBinF
October 18th, 2011
9:34 am
Most of you morons complaining don’t even live in Atlanta. Drive your land boat SUVs, replete with “I love Jesus” and “support our troops” car magnets, in the suburbs. Leave the rest of us, people who actually reside within the city limits, alone.
Xanadu
October 18th, 2011
9:34 am
Well, the conservatives have the Tea Party….now the liberals have the Flea Party.
mum
October 18th, 2011
9:35 am
Oh, please! How many of you people complaining about the protesters in the park have actually use the space?
Jim
October 18th, 2011
9:48 am
For all the “haters”, who, for some reason, REALLY object to these people in Woodruff Park, the mayor is probably doing you a service in the promotion of your “cause”. If he were to say “enough is enough”, what would happen to these people? If they were true to their convictions, and it would be interesting to see how many truly are, they would go to jail for those beliefs. And if those who believe what these people are doing are true in their backing, they would take their place at the park ,and they would go to jail. I think it would get some national exposure then. I’m sure that many of you “haters” don’t think a riot would occur. But you never know.
KasimR
October 18th, 2011
9:52 am
Disgusting. I just heard that Susan Sarandon called the pope a ‘Nazi’. I am hereby officially inviting Catholics everywhere to protest this action in one of Atlanta’s many public parks.
Come on Down! Stay as long as you want.
Sparkle
October 18th, 2011
10:01 am
”Civil disobedience is an appropriate form of expression, provided that it is peaceful, non-violent and lawful.”
Since when is civil disobedience lawful? Isn’t the point of civil disobedience to break unjust laws in a peacful, non-violent way? In the lunch counter sit-ins of the civil rights era, the protesters were breaking unjust Jim Crowe laws in a peacful way. Whomever wrote this press realease for Mayor Reed is an idiot.
Carpetbagger
October 18th, 2011
10:03 am
This is a pick and choose government enforcement. If you are a homeless bum, you must be out of the park by 11. If you are the KKK, the National Guard would be called in.
mum
October 18th, 2011
10:03 am
@GAGal, if you use a cell phone or a computer, or any electronic device it’s made in China. If you eat prepackaged food check the point of origin. You cannot criticize these kids use of technology made in China because every person blogging here is complicit. So before you criticize, take a look at the place of manufacture of all the things in your home and then you’ll understand why there are no manufacturing jobs left in this country and the future growth of this country is at stake.
They may not have a cogent message, but at least they are trying to do something other that make snarky comments online. It’s a shame the so many here have forgotten what it was to be young, impressionable, impossibly confident about what you believe in, thinking that your ideas were better, stupid, smart, and having the luxury of maturing and learning sense. That’s why people from across the globe want to be here because you are allowed to fail spectacularly, and get back up to try again.
Retired Solider
October 18th, 2011
10:07 am
Mr. Reed should resign, pure and simple. If he doesn’t want to enforce the law he should do the decent thing and resign. Unreal.
Eric
October 18th, 2011
10:11 am
What part of “you bought Karl Rove’s anti-Constitutional message hook, line and sinker,” don’t YOU understand?
IvanAllen
October 18th, 2011
10:11 am
Sparkle-
The press release is basically saying that the protesters are doing 2 of the three elements themselves (peaceful, non-violent) so the mayor is taking care of the third (lawful) by his executive order allowing them to stay past 11pm.
too big to fail
October 18th, 2011
10:15 am
The Wall Street crooks set a good example for our country.
The law should be enforced against white collar crime,
pure and simple.
RockTheVote
October 18th, 2011
10:22 am
The Flea Party. That’s hysterical.
‘Cause they’re blood sucking parasites. I get it.
I’m going to make a sign that says that and then go down to Cop Killer Park today.
Reality
October 18th, 2011
10:25 am
I’m upset I don’t have a job. Instead of looking for one I’ll protest in a downtown park.
I’m angry I have student loan debts for a college degree I didn’t finish because I smoked too much weed. Instead of paying off the loans I think I’ll protest in a downtown park.
I have a house that I really couldn’t have afforded but I bought it anyway. Now it is getting foreclosed upon. I think I’ll protest in a downtown park.
Sounds like a bunch of whiny losers that didn’t think through their decisions. Life is tough…deal.
Sparkle
October 18th, 2011
10:27 am
@IvanAllen
You missed the point. What I am saying is that “lawful” is not an element of civil obedience, by definition. Here is the first line of the Wikipedia aritcle on civil disobiedience:
“Civil disobedience is the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government, or of an occupying international power.”
My point is that for Mayor Reed to say that civil disobedience is “appropriate so long is it is lawful (paraphrased)” is idiotic because the definition of civil disobedicne involves the breaking of law. He seems to have a basic lack of understanding of what civil disobedience is.
taylor
October 18th, 2011
10:30 am
With near freezing temps this weekend many will bail out. Reed is probably a lot smarter than you give him credit for
gnomeboy
October 18th, 2011
10:33 am
Mayor Reed needs to grow a pair. So how many more laws are these “OCCUTARDS” going to break? What a bunch of crap. I guarantee you if another group had dne this, APD would have sent them packing when the park closed at 11 pm.
NoDeal
October 18th, 2011
10:52 am
So they’re communists…..big deal. Once a new Cause Du Jour they’ll pack up and leave. Or if Phish goes back on tour.
Elizabeth
October 18th, 2011
10:52 am
So now the mayor wants to govern Atlanta like a dictator. Apparently he can issue an executive order and simply ignore the law. I wonder how quick he would be to issue such an order when a group seeks to camp out in a public area to bring attention to a cause which he does not support? These protesters should be required to obseve the law like everyone else. Even after several weeks of these folks protesting around the country, I am not sure what they want. The only thing I have heard them say is that corporations are making too much money and should pay more taxes and hire more people. These liberals are total idiots. Just wait, when the day finally comes that our braindead mayor decides they must go, then we get to see their true intention – a confrontation with authorities (with lots of media coverage asking the “tough questions”) followed by claims of abuse and violations of their rights. Meanwhile, the taxpayers of Atlanta will be left with the bill for the cleanup of the park and the costs of defending the lawsuits.
By my count, these folks have been camping out at the park for a couple of weeks. If they are allowed to stay for a few more weeks, they will have been there for over a month. Is this how they hope to find employment? I’m guessing many of these deadbeats are sucking up all the public benefits they can get all the while criticizing the companies and individuals who are paying for their lifestyle. Nice job mayor. Unbelievable!!!
Retired Solider
October 18th, 2011
10:57 am
Elizabeth-
Great post, you are dead on.
Not So Casual Observer
October 18th, 2011
10:57 am
The “occupy” group so clearly represents the Democrat Party.
The group espouses illogical, unattainable and poorly considered goals.
The group has no clear-thinking leader.
The demands change with the wind.
The group is composed of unemployed, non-taxpaying individuals who depend on government largesse to survive.
The City of Atlanta has a failing infrastructure and now “that which will no longer flow through the sewers” has accumulated in Woodruff Park – very similar to a convention of liberal Democrats.
Liberals are the root of all that is wrong in the US – the tax structure, the Federal Reserve, Wall Street and the “Rockefeller Bankers”.
#occupy my desk...
October 18th, 2011
10:58 am
I am going to civilly disobey my taxes? How about civilly disobey traffic laws, will that work too? Sorry, I just don’t think laws should apply conditionally for anyone.
Spock
October 18th, 2011
11:04 am
One of the first things they agreed upon as a group was to rename Woodruff Park after a man executed for killing an innocent person.
How…illogical.
Not So Casual Observer
October 18th, 2011
11:05 am
US Presidents, Cabinet Members, Members of Congress, Governors and Mayors all swear to uphold the US Constitution, their State Constitution and the laws of the land. When these individuals decide to ignore a specific law or mandate that does not meet their personal agenda they should, each and every one, be removed from office.
JohnQPublic
October 18th, 2011
11:06 am
Why not rename it Officer Mark MacPhail Park? He was also part of the 99%, you know.
Not So Casual Observer
October 18th, 2011
11:07 am
Spock,
Only illogical for an individual capable of cogent thought.
Gary
October 18th, 2011
11:17 am
It is funny to go donw their and see these kids decked out in High end REI gear with Ipads and Iphones complain about corporate greed while their parents are probably paying most of their bills. Frankly a 20 something squater in a $600 Moutnain Hardware tent, North face sleeping bag, and camping chairs cooking on a coleman stove is not doing much to convince me they want much more than to go camping in the city in between classes at GA State. I wonder how many of them took the day off to stand in line and buy the Iphone 4s. The flaw in the movement is that they are going after the very companies that build the products they love so much. Apple is the king of corporate greed yet these kids love them like a cult.
Downtowner
October 18th, 2011
11:23 am
And how much taxpayers’ money is Mayor Reed saving by not sending these demonstrators to our city jail right away? And then the replacement demonstrators, and on and on? I thought that our city jails at present are over-crowded anyway…I too think that the Mayor is doing the shrewd thing by letting them stay for awhile longer.
pleasewakeup
October 18th, 2011
11:24 am
Message to everyone who has commented:
The message being delivered by the Occupy Wallstreet…Atlanta…etc. protesters all over the globe is meant for the 1% who have orchestrated the economic mess we find ourselves in today. None of you are the 1%, but apparently you still have faith in the god of mammon that the 1% have promised will save you here in the good ole’ USA. The 1% have no loyalties to you or America or anything but their own power and influence. You are their pawns and they laugh at you when they read the arrows being fired between the right and the left of you. The message of Occupy is – we reject the corruption of all who have destroyed our chances for opportunity so we are showing you how we plan to live now that you have. And this is just a preview of what is coming to a theater near you very soon.
SAWB
October 18th, 2011
11:26 am
Funny how many folks on here state that if you do not live in “The ATL” or haven’t been to the park than you have no right to comment on the Hobo Encampment. However, these same folks are more than happy to take all the tax money from the “Burbs” to build their trolleys and beltlines. So, if Mayor Kiss-em demands my tax money than I have a right to comment on his decision making ability.
Gary
October 18th, 2011
11:35 am
Private sector bail outs – repaid with interest… Government made money off the evil banks they forced to take government money so people would not knwo which bank neede TARP and which did not. The big spending shovel ready projects and infrastructure? Still wainting for results. Mostly reporting waste and fraud. I will side with the private sector who makes all the little things I love and work for. I love my 401k. It is a great deal. Company matching. Incouraged savings. I love my private health care plan. Does not cost much and I see great doctors when I need to. I love my insurance. They protect me from worthless individuals who cannot pay for the damages they do to my car and accidents with my home. I love my life insurance policy whcih will take care of my wife should something happen to me. I love my car manufacturer for constanly making my cars better, safer, more fun. I love my 65 inch LED TV, picture is amazing. The channel choices and images of the world it provides me would be unimaginable to someone 70 years ago depending on readio and newspapers for information. Maybe these people should take soem time to see what is available to an avarage middle class worker. We live at a level of priviledge that is unprecidented in the history of man kind. Pretty sure wallstreet had a lot to do with my quality of life. May these lazy urban campers should go to wallsteet and thank a venture capitalist for risking large somes of money on high risk ventures in hopes of success and high returns. That is what makes this country better. Not shouting in the steet like some wanna be hippie war protester from the 60’s.
Not So Casual Observer
October 18th, 2011
11:36 am
Dear …Wakeup,
You should do as you recommend.
This is nothing more than Democrat/Liberal sponsored class warfare.
Bob in Sandy Springs
October 18th, 2011
11:37 am
Lets see. Homeless folks were run out of the Park at 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm daily I believe. Occupy Atlanta isn’t.
Seems like the homeless are being discriminated against. How can the law apply to one class, but not apply to another?
Shambreyah
October 18th, 2011
11:45 am
“I am also cognizant of the concerns of neighboring businesses and residents about the effect of the protesters’ activity on the park and the surrounding area.”
I don’t have a dog in this fight. But it seems to me that if you situated your home or business across the street from a city park you tacitly accepted the noise and disturbance that comes with the territory. If it’s so bad, then leave.
Corporate Greedy
October 18th, 2011
11:50 am
For those of you opposed to the protest, were you really for the Wall Street bailout of 2008 and 2009? They are outraged by it. They are outraged by the fact that these too-big-to-fail institutions made billions with fraudulent, unregulated, highly leveraged derivatives. They are outraged because this crisis was avoidable and predictable. They are outraged because this systemic risk continues due to the complicity of congress and our president.
WHY ARE THE REST OF YOU NOT IN THE PARK PROTESTING!
SAWB
October 18th, 2011
11:51 am
“Seems like the homeless are being discriminated against. How can the law apply to one class, but not apply to another?”
Let’s be honest here this entire movement is nothing more than a political tactic to get the Blessed Bringer of Hope Omama reelected. From the Unions to the cavalcade of celebrity endorsements it is pretty obvious what is going on. The current administration may have inherited a mess, but they have shown totally ineptitude at dealing with it. Since they can no longer blame Bush for their mistakes they need a new scapegoat and apparently Wall Street fits the bill. This is just sad old fashion class warfare
td
October 18th, 2011
11:52 am
pleasewakeup
October 18th, 2011
11:24 am
Well then they are all confused because this movement is really about bailing them out for the mistakes they made.
They want their college loans forgiven. Why do they not have the HOPE? Is it because they did not take the responsibility to do what they needed to do in HS or college? Why did they take all these loans and not go to school part time and work?
Some want their home loans changed? Why? Is it because they made the choice to over extended themselves and now they want a bailout? Did the banks force them to make this decision? Where is their personal responsibility.
They want the top 1% to pay more for their entitlement programs when they themselves pay nothing. Why do they think they are to good to go out and work an entry level job?
Now they think they are victims and are entitled to break the law for change instead of going through the election process.
These people make me sick and the name Flea party is very fitting.
td
October 18th, 2011
11:54 am
Corporate Greedy
October 18th, 2011
11:50 am
Most of these kids were 18 or younger when the bailouts happened and they have no clue what really happened. They are just parroting what they have been told to say.